Ian Pethick

Jake Ash must see something in JBE, and that there is something there to develop. Much in the same way he has with Hayden Turner (remember his move from St Austell generating a bit of controversy at the time). Ryan Richards has done it season in, season out for around 13-14 seasons now. Was first aware of him as a teenage striker with Tamarside in the ECPL, and has scored goals wherever he has gone in the South Western League, Peninsula League, Western League and Southern League. Had a bit of reputation as a moaner when he was younger, but remember plenty of times when he played out of position in midfield or on the wing for Parkway, and didn't complain.

Fast forward 12 months, and will Truro City be preparing for festive football matches at their own ground? Hope so.

Didn't know that this was standard procedure, thought that only a suitably qualified ref could make the decision.

Barnet 1 Parkway 0 Heartbreak for Parkway as they were finally beaten with a goal in the 92nd minute. Very much a resilient, backs to the wall display against their high flying, step 1 opponents. Despite having something like 80 % of the possession, and putting plenty of balls into the box, a co.bination of disciplined and quality defending, confident goalkeeping and yes, some wasteful finishing, meant that Parkway almost took it to penalties. Indeed, they might still have done this, with Rio Garside drawing a flying save from the home keeper withalmost the last kick of the game. Parkway can take plenty from this game, but are now free to concentrate on getting away from the wrong end of the league table.

Game off at Poole. We have moved effortlessly from frozen to waterlogged pitches. The ground staff at Bolitho Park must have the pitch in intensive care (and eyeing the weather forecast nervously), ahead of the expected 1,000 plus gate for Parkway v Truro on Boxing Day.

Thrilling final yesterday, one of the few games of the World Cup I have actually sat down and watched. Can't help but think, take out Messi, Mbappe (and a few others on both sides) how good were Argentina and France in reality? To name one player from each side, thought that Acuna (the Argentine substitute left back) and Rabiot (the French central midfielder) were terrible. Slightly left with the feeling that England blew this, it was there for the taking. Which leads into my thoughts about Gareth Southgate, believe that if Robert Mancini had been coach of this England side in 2021, then they would have won the Euros and if Didier Deschamps and Southgate had magically swapped jobs ahead of the quarter final game, then England would have won that game. Southgate is undoubtedly a decent man, a capable coach and very popular with the players, but has he got the extra 1% needed to actually win something? If Southgate had been coaching France yesterday, would he have made that double substitution in the 41st minute (when Kolo Muani and Thuram came on, and gave France some attacking momentum)?

Read that Kyle Marks left Blazey for Bodmin in search of regular starts, interesting then that he's made the return journey to Blaise Park a few weeks later.

Is Kyle Marks a full time addition, or playing as Bodmin didn't have a game?

Did anybody else also interpret that as a dig at the previous manager? Don't think that this is the last we have seen of Shane Krac in a managerial role, seems like this has given him an appetite for the role.

The way Parkway's league fixtures are piling up, progression in the FA Trophy is also far from ideal. An honourable, narrow defeat would (for myself) be the best outcome from tomorrow night. Getting league games played, trying to get some points on the board and ensuring that they stay up , has to be the priority.

Barnet fans now regard this rearranged game as a bit of a nuisance as well, and a distraction from the real business of trying to get promotion back to the Football League. They were due to host table topping Notts County on Tuesday night.

Tuesday night at Barnet it is then.

Don't get me wrong Gary, I am totally behind the idea of automatic promotion and relegation. The years of the likes of Blazey and Bodmin winning the title, and not going up was (in my opinion) damaging for the credibility of the league and football in Cornwall. Don't think it was necessarily that good for both of the named clubs either. Blazey suffered seasons of stagnation, and Bodmin have been in decline for years. Just saying that there is a risk that the reason behind why people run and support the football club can get lost, and that while new supporters are very welcome, the long standing one's must be kept on side. You are quite correct that there have always been the moaners though, remember that in the midst of the thrilling climax to the 2013/14 Peninsula League season , and winner take all final match between Parkway and Saltash with over 600 in attendance on a warm May evening at Bolitho, one of the regulars complained that they couldn't get their regular standing space and it was impossible to park at the ground. I know this as a fact, because I was the one moaning...

Good points Dave. Setting aside the increased demands on the football club as a business, both financial and organisational, the way the club is supported changes. As the number of people needed to run a club increases, different faces come in and take up new roles and there is a necessity for things to become more professionally run, a few of the older fans and faces become marginalised and feel they don't enjoy the same level of access to (and engagement with) club officers. I speak to some of the longer standing Parkway fans and, while they acknowledge the much higher quality of the football on display at step 3 level, they do miss the old Peninsula League days. Especially some of the local trips and rivalries.

From people I have spoken to. There is nothing illegal, wrong or underhand in this, expect most managers at this level are active on the commercial and income side.

See that Kevin Miller has been appointed goalkeeper coach at Exeter City. No mention in the report if he will be carrying on as manager at Peninsula East table toppers, Okehampton Argyle.

I guess the most immediate question is , what happens now to the money and sponsorship that Shane Krac brought to the club? Will that now cease, and does it blow a hole in The Ashes' finances? Good luck to Danny Lewis and whoever steps in to assist him (believe Adam Carter has been sounded out regarding this) in the immediate stabilising of the ship for the match against Bridgwater on Saturday.

Looking forward to this, Shane Krac never holds back in his thoughts. Might not be for young and sensitive ears though.😁

Was originally intended to be the home of Wealdstone, but they ran out of money before it was finished. As you say, Barnet took it on with the stated intention of only using it as a training facility, but then took it as their new home. Upset the Wealdstone supporters as they moved into their area (used to work with one), and also their own fans as they left the Borough Of Barnet (despite the chairman insisting they wouldn't). Non league football, eh?

"Next travel update at 30 minutes past the hour." 😀

No, The Hive hasn't got under soil seating. Which is surprising as it's a relatively new stadium. Looking forward to taking a journey up the Jubilee Line for this, bit of a free hit for Parkway as Barnet are full time pros who currently sit in the National League play off positions (they may well rotate their side for this as well).

All the "P-P" games are due to FA Trophy games this Saturday, not frozen pitches (for now anyway).

The small matter of a top of the table game against Bridgwater on Saturday as well. Nothing official from the club yet.

Hope so. Not sure what happens if Barnet v Parkway in the Trophy gets frozen off. Guess it would be a long trip to try again on the Tues/Weds next week.

Hearing rumours from a very reliable source that a big story is coming out of Saltash United this evening. Won't repeat in case it's rubbish, but (if true) will shake the side that is currently top of the Western League.